Gas fired outdoor cooking apparatus that includes pot with spigot drain

ABSTRACT

A cooking apparatus enables a user to cook bu boiling, steaming or frying food items. The apparatus includes a burner having a base that is specially shaped to cradle a pot. The pot has a valved flowline that enables the user to drain any fluid that was used for cooking (eg. water, oil, seasoned water, stock, etc.). An upper section above the support surface of the burner for engaging the sidewall of the pot should the pot be tipped inadvertently. The burner includes upper members that are supported above the bottom of the pot and a lower member that engages an underlying supporting surface. The upper pot support members include a ring with a bent, U-shaped section that extends on opposite sides of and under the valved drain flowline. The burner frame can have a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending legs. Radial and circumferentially spaced struts define part of the frame and are shaped and cradle the bottom of the pot and its sidewall respectively.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/229,313, filed Aug. 27, 2002(now U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,335), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.Ser. No. 09/838,091, filed Apr. 19, 2001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,107),which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/703,993, filed Nov.1, 2000 (now abandoned) which is a continuation in part of U.S. Ser. No.09/567,676, filed May 9, 2000 (now abandoned) which is a continuation inpart of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/426,210, filed Oct. 25, 1999(now U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,830), which is a continuation in part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/149,842, filed Sep. 8, 1998 (now U.S.Pat. No. 5,970,852), which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/813,463filed Mar. 10, 1997 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,321), each of the abovebeing incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to outdoor cooking devices and cookingaccessories and more particularly to a natural gas fired outdoor cookerthat is supplied with a source of fuel such as butane or propane from acanister and that includes a stand, pot, and pot liner, the improvementincluding a special configuration of the burner and a connected tablethat enables a user to quickly support a pot liner or basket upon thetable after it is removed from the pot of boiling liquid.

2. General Background of the Invention

A number of outdoor cookers have been sold commercially for a number ofyears and are admitted as “prior art” type burners. These “prior art”burners have traditionally included a metallic frame that supports aburner nozzle, such as a cast iron burner nozzle. Such burner nozzlesare commercially available and are used to fire most natural gas firedhot water heaters.

Examples of these prior art type outdoor cooking devices can be seen inthe Jan. 1, 1996 brochure of Metal Fusion, Inc., of Jefferson, La.Patents have issued naming Norman Bourgeois as inventor that relate toburners and related cooking apparatus. Examples include U.S. Pat. No.5,065,735 for a “Convertible Burner Apparatus” that features differentprimary burner frames and legs that can elevate the burner frames. OtherBourgeois patents that relate to cooking devices include theaforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,813,321; 5,970,852; and 6,058,830.

The burner nozzle can be a cast iron hot water heater type burner nozzleor a jet burner arrangement that uses a single outlet centered in acylindrically-shaped, vertically oriented metallic tube. The most commonversion of the prior art “jet burner” arrangement is seen in MetalFusion's catalog as Model No. 90PK. Another version of this type ofcooker includes two spaced apart circular rings connected with strutsand having a cylindrically-shaped wind guard or shroud. This type ofprior art burner can be seen for example as Metal Fusion Model Nos.82PK, 83PK, 85PK, 86PK, and 86PKJ.

For cooking some food items such as poultry items, it is sometimesdesirable to fry the object in a basket that can be lifted from the pot.An example of this type of “prior art” arrangement is seen in the 1996Metal Fusion catalog as Model No. 32TPK. For a combination cookingarrangement that includes a burner, pot and liner, the user typicallyplaces the poultry item in the basket and lowers it into boiling oilusing a bail. In the prior art, bails have often been detachable fromthe basket so that the user can lower the basket into the pot and thecontained boiling oil and then remove the handle or bail therefrom. Thisallows the user to eliminate the transfer of heat from the basket to thehandle during the elongated cooking process.

A number of patents have issued that relate to cooking devices andutensils for use in combination with cooking vessels. The Walker U.S.Pat. No. 4,735,135 provides a utensil assembly and kit including samefor cooking vessels used in preparing and supporting combustibles abovethe bottom of the cooking vessel and away from its inner walls. Theutensil kit comprises a base supported above the bottom of the cookingvessel, a plurality of support attachments separately detachable andinterchangeably mountable on the base for supporting selectedcombustible products, and releasable latch mechanism having two parts,one part disposed on the base, and the other part is disposed on each ofthe support attachments for engaging the base. One of the utensils is apoultry support attachment that fits inside the cavity of a chicken orother poultry enabling it to be positioned upright.

The Rappaport U.S. Pat. No. 3,053,169, discloses a poultry supportingdevice that sits upon a base in the form of a pan.

A rotisserie cooking arrangement is disclosed in the French Patent2685862.

A roasting support for fowl is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,642. Theapparatus includes a longitudinally extending rod that extends throughthe center of the turkey having an eyelet at its upper end.

A roaster for poultry and meat is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,602.The apparatus includes a vertical roasting apparatus wherein apredetermined amount of liquid for generating the moisture required toproduce a high quality and flavorful roasting of the meat is included ina reservoir formed within the support structure itself and disposedinternally of the poultry or meat being roasted.

A vertical spit for displaying roasting or warming is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,442,999.

A combination outdoor cooker and smoker is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,531,154. The apparatus includes a cooker having a gas burner coupledto an external gas source through a control valve by a gas supplyconduit.

An Austrian patent 217592 discloses a cooking device that has a centralmember upon which a turkey or chicken is supported during the cookingoperation.

British patent 2205734A discloses a device for use in preparing andcooking kebabs that includes walls which are interconnected to define atube member and into which a first end wall is slidably received tofurther reinforce the shape formed by the sidewalls and whose endposition is determined by the engagement of lips projecting inwardlyfrom the sidewalls. The sidewalls are appertured longitudinally forreceiving a knife to cut food within the tube member.

Issued patents to Barbour (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,758,569 and 5,896,810)disclose a cooking apparatus directed to the frying of poultry itemssuch as turkeys.

Several patents have issued that are directed to a cooker or pot havinga spigot provided on the pot wall that enables liquid to be withdrawnfrom the pot via the spigot. An example of such an early patent is theSaroni U.S. Pat. No. 57,577 entitled “Apparatus for SteamingVegetables.” In the Saroni 577 patent, a spigot B is provided forwithdrawing liquid from the receptacle or pot.

The Paterson U.S. Pat. No. 74,123 discloses in FIG. 1 a spigot mountedon the wall of a pot.

The Durham U.S. Pat. No. 123,876 discloses a boiler (see FIGS. 1 and 3)in the form of a pot having handles and a lid H. The Durham '876 patentstates that one or more of the lower components are using for cookingsolids, and the others are either for soup or other liquid, the latter Cor either of them being provided with a tap D at the bottom for drawingoff the contents.

The Goodwyn patent provides a cooking vessel. A faucet B is provided atthe lower end of the boiler A.

The Harper U.S. Pat. No. 1,054,114 discloses a furnace that includes avat that can be fastened to the top of the fire box by means of a sleeveD formed integral therewith and adapted to fit over the smoke pipe E.This vat is provided with a cover D′ and also an outlet pipe E having aspigot E′.

A cooking vessel is disclosed in the Clayton U.S. Pat. No. 1,272,222that includes a cooking vessel 10 having an outlet nipple 11 in which isrotatably mounted on a valve plug 12. This valve structure enables theliquid to be easily drawn off.

The Jobe U.S. Pat. No. 1,390,908 discloses a cooking vessel that has anouter pipe 20 that has one end communicating with the inner receptaclefor drawing liquids therefrom, the pipe extending through the outerreceptacle and equipped with a valve 21.

The Austin U.S. Pat. No. 1,827,131 provides a pot drain in the form ofpipe 12 that is fitted with a cap 13.

The Baker U.S. Pat. No. 2,350,335 discloses a brewer or cooker that hasa drain valve 7 adjacent its lower end through which brewed coffee maybe withdrawn.

The Shipman U.S. Pat. No. 3,838,680 discloses a combination heating andserving assembly having a drainage outlet or spigot 32 by which theliquid contents of the container may be drawn off from time to time.

One of the problems with outdoor cookers is the handling of very largepots that contain a high volume of cooking fluid such as vegetable oil.It is desirable that such an outdoor cooking apparatus have goodstability to support the very heavy and often tall pot during cooking,and during placement of or removal of the pot, liner or both from theburner. Further, the cooking fluid is desirably reused for certaincooking fluids such as vegetable oils. One solution is to drain the pot,yet also provide for drainage without removal from the burner. However,the burner must enable such drainage and still provide a safe, stablecooking platform for very large capacity cooking pots.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a burner frame having a base for engagingan underlying support surface, the burner having a nozzle for generatinga high intensity flame for use in cooking, and a supply hose forsupplying propane to the burner. The burner frame has a support surfacefor cradling a pot.

A pot is provided that includes a flat bottom portion andcylindrically-shaped continuous side walls, the pot having a generallycylindrically-shaped interior for receiving a basket. The basket orliner removably fits the pot interior. The basket can include a basethat registers against the bottom of the pot and a vertically extendingportion adjacent to the pot wall that connects to a bail.

The burner frame includes a ring that is supported above the bottom ofthe pot on the exterior of the pot for engaging the sidewall of the potshould the pot be tipped.

The upper ring is supported by a plurality of generally “L” shapedstruts that extend from the upper ring downwardly along a generallyvertical path and then horizontally to cradle the bottom of the pot.

The upper ring is specially configured as will be described more fullyhereinafter to enable drainage of the pot and without removal from theburner.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the cooking apparatus provides a plurality offood holding inserts that fit the pot interior, wherein a first insertis selectively connectable to and supported by a second insert andwherein the second insert has an upper end with a connector and isconfigured to extend between the pot bottom portion and the pot upperend portion and support a food item when it is not supporting norconnected to the first insert. The cooking apparatus also provides alifting hook that selectively connects to or disconnects from theconnector of the second insert.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEW OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages ofthe present invention, reference should be had to the following detaileddescription, read in conjunction with the following drawings, whereinlike reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention illustrating the basket, steam plate,and bail;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective of the preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention illustrating the basket portionthereof;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the preferred embodiment ofthe apparatus of the present invention illustrating the burner portionthereof;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional elevation view of the burner of FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional elevation view of the burner of FIG.4;

FIG. 7 is a sectional elevation view of the preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention illustrating the burner, pot, andbasket portions thereof during steaming;

FIG. 8 is a sectional elevation view of the preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention illustrating the burner, pot, andbasket portions thereof during boiling;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention showing an alternate burnerconstruction;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the burner of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along lines 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along lines 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along lines 14-14 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the apparatusof the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view of the third embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is another partial perspective view of the preferred embodimentof the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a partial sectional elevation view of the third embodiment ofthe apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a partial perspective view of the third embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus ofthe present invention;

FIG. 22 is a partial perspective view of the fourth embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a partial perspective view of the fourth embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention illustrating the burner portionthereof;

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary view of the fourth embodiment of the apparatusof the present invention illustrating a portion of the burner and aportion of the pot illustrating its valved drain line;

FIG. 25 is a partial perspective view of the fourth embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the apparatus ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 27 is a partial perspective view of the fifth embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention illustrating the burner portionthereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an outdoor cooking apparatus designatedgenerally by the numeral 10 in FIG. 1. The apparatus 10 includes aburner 11, pot 12, supply valve 13, a commercially available flexiblehose for supplying propane or like fuel for firing the burner 11, and abasket 14 (see FIGS. 2-3) that can be lowered into the interior 15 ofpot 12. In FIGS. 4-8, burner 11 includes a lower ring 16 and an upperring 17. Burner 11 has a nozzle or jet surrounded bycylindrically-shaped wind guard 22.

The rings 16, 17 are connected with a plurality of struts 18. Each strut18 includes radially extending, inclined lower strut section 19, upperstrut section 20, and vertical center strut section 21. Each of thelower strut sections 19 is linear in shape, and inclined to form aconnection between the lower or base ring 16 and the bottom of centralstrut section 21 (see FIG. 6).

Upper strut sections 20 are generally “ell” shaped having a lower endportion 23 that forms a connection with the upper end of central strutsection 21 and an upper end 24 that forms a connection with upper ring17.

The “ell” shaped upper strut sections 20 include upper linear section24, lower linear section 23, and bend sections 25, 26. Thisconfiguration provides both a base for holding the bottom surface 27 ofpot 12 and a vertically extending portion that envelopes the lower endof pot sidewall 28.

In a preferred embodiment, the ring 17 can be positioned, for example,about 2-8 inches above the bottom surface 27 of pot 12. Further, theupper ring 17 has an inside diameter indicated as 29 in FIG. 7 thatclosely approaches the outside diameter 30 of pot 12. A clearance ofabout ½-1½ inches is provided in between the inside of ring 17 and theoutside of pot wall 28 during use.

In FIGS. 1-3, basket 14 includes a wire basket frame base 31 that canbe, for example, in the form of a plurality of connected (e.g., welded)wire members arranged in a cross (see FIG. 3).

In FIGS. 2-3, basket 14 includes a base comprised of a pair of linearintersecting members 32, 33, a pair of vertical members 34, 35 and abail 36. The base can have feet for spacing it from the bottom 27surface of pot 12. Each vertical member 34, 35 has a hook 37, 38respectively for connecting to the lower ends 39, 40 of bail 36, asshown in FIG. 2. Bail 36 can be trapezoidal in shape, having handleportion 51, sides 52, 53 and cross beam 54. The enlarged handle 51enables a user to grip with both hands.

Steamer plate 41 can optionally be placed upon basket 14 if food itemsare to be steamed. Plate 41 has a generally circular shape, providingperipheral edge 42 and central opening 43. Plate 41 is preferablyperforated providing an array of openings therethrough that enable steamto access all surfaces of a food item that is placed on the uppersurface 45 of plate 41. Drippings from food items can flow through theopenings as well.

Support 46 extends upwardly from base 31 of basket 14. Support 46 has adual function of holding steamer plate 41 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 andof supporting a food item such as chicken, turkey or other selected itemas shown in FIG. 8.

A pair of laterally extending posts 47, 48 support the peripheral edge42 of steamer plate 41 when the steamer plate is assembled to the basket14. Central opening 43 of steamer plate 41 rests upon support 46 whenthe steamer plate is put in an operational position. The steamer plateis thus supported at its periphery with posts 47, 48 and at its centerwith support 46. Steamer plate 41 has peripheral slots at 49, 50 thatfit vertical members 34, 35 respectively.

The apparatus of the present invention thus provides a dual functioncooking apparatus that enables a user to either steam food products suchas crabs, lobsters, clams and the like, or boil food items such as fish,shellfish, or poultry items.

FIGS. 9-11 show an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention designated generally by the numeral 55 in FIGS. 12 and 17-18.

Outdoor cooking apparatus 55 includes a burner for supporting pot 12.Burner 55 (FIGS. 9-11) includes upper ring 56 and a plurality ofhorizontal struts 57-59. Vertical struts 60-62 are connected integrallyto horizontal struts 57-59 respectively. As shown in FIGS. 9-11, aplurality of legs 63, 67, 71 are attached to horizontal struts 57, 58,59 respectively. Each leg 63, 67, 71 is formed of a pair of straightsections and a bend section. The leg 63 includes straight sections 64and 66 connected by bend 65. The leg 67 includes straight sections 68,70 connected by bend 69. The leg 71 is similarly configured to legs 63and 67.

A cylindrical flue 72 is placed at the vertical central axis 91 ofburner 55 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The cylindrical flue 72 attachesto each of the legs 63, 67, 71 by welding for example. Each leg 63, 67,71 attaches to a horizontal strut 57, 58, 62, preferably by welding.Each of the vertical struts 60, 61, 62 attaches to upper end 56 bywelding, for example. A fuel supply line 73 is used to supplycombustible gas such as propane or butane to nozzle 75. The nozzle 75 ispreferably attached to the vertical bore 74 of cylindrical flue 72 bywelding or like means known in the art.

Circular plate 76 is attached to the inner end portions of horizontalstruts 57, 58, 59 as shown in FIGS. 9-11. This attachment of plate 76 tohorizontal struts 57, 58, 59 can be by welding at welds 77 for example.

In FIG. 11, the apparatus 55 of the present invention is shown inoperating position wherein pot 12 occupies a position on top of thehorizontal struts 57, 58, 59. A flame 78 extends upwardly from nozzle75. The nozzle 75 can be ignited when propane, butane or like gas istransmitted to the nozzle 75 via pipe line 73 using a match, or likestarter. Flame 78 strikes the bottom of plate 76 diverting flame 78laterally to provide even distribution of heat to the bottom of pot 12.This distribution of the flame 78 outwardly and laterally away fromplate 76 is indicated schematically by arrows 79 in FIG. 11.

FIGS. 12-14 show an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention designated generally by the numeral 81 in FIGS. 12-14. Burnerapparatus 81 includes a frame 82 comprised of a plurality of beams.Frame 82 can be of welded steel construction, for example. Frame 82 thusincludes beams 83, 84 that are parallel to each other and central beam85 that is generally perpendicular to the beams 83, 84.

At the extreme end portions of frame 82, beams 86, 87 extend betweenrespective end portions of beams 83, 84 as shown in FIG. 12. Each ofthese end beams 86, 87 is connected to a leg 88 or 89. As shown in FIG.13, attachments 93 (for example, welded attachments) form a connectionbetween each leg 88, 89 and frame 82 at beams 86, 87 respectively.

In FIGS. 13 and 14, each leg 88, 89 is comprised of a horizontal member90 and a pair of inclined members 91, 92.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 12-14, a pair of burners 94 are provided,each comprising a cylindrically shaped shroud 95, a contained burnerelement 96 positioned within the shroud 95 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14and grate members 98 that support shroud 95 and its contained burnerelement 96. A ring 97 forms an interface between frame 82 and theplurality of grate members 98. Rings 97 can be welded to the beams atthe top of frame 82. In FIG. 12, ring 97 on the left hand side of FIG.12 is welded to beams 83, 84, 85 and 86. The ring 95 on the right handside of FIG. 12 is welded to beams 83, 84, 85, and 87. Grate members 98are welded to ring 97 at attachments 102. Grate members 98 are alsoconnected at attachments 103 to shroud 95. The attachments 103 can bewelded connections, for example.

FIGS. 15-20 show a third embodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention, designated generally by the numeral 104 in FIGS. 15 and 16.Cooking apparatus 104 is in the form of a combination smoker/burner.This apparatus enables a smoker to be used with the burner that is shownand described with respect to the first and second embodiments of FIGS.1-14. Smoker apparatus 104 provides a lower section 105, middle section106, and upper section 107. The upper section 107 basically functions asa cover. The middle section 106 is a cooking chamber. The lower section105 can be used to contain a bowl that has a liquid that can includeseasoning. Alternatively, the sections 105, 106, 107 can be assembled asa free standing smoker separate from burner 11 wherein the bowl 119 canbe filled with charcoal.

Lower section 105 is specially configured to mate with and be supportedby burner 11. The lower section 105 provides a larger cylindrical sidewall 109 and a smaller cylindrical side wall 113. A tapered annular wall114 joins the larger cylindrical side wall 109 and the smallercylindrical side wall 113 as shown in FIG. 19. A bottom panel 112connects to the lower end of the smaller cylindrical side wall 113. Whennot in use upon burner 11, the smoker sections 105, 106, 107 can besupported by any means known in the art such as for example, a pluralityof legs 115 or a separate base that is not a burner and that fits thecontours of bottom 112, small side wall 113, tapered annular side wall114, and/or larger cylindrical side wall 109.

An access door 120 can be provided in lower section 105 as can be airvent openings 116. The lower section 105 can provide a flat, annularflange 117 or other suitable mating surface for supporting middlesection 106. Similarly, upper section 107 is configured to fit upon theupper edge 126 of middle section 106.

A cooking grate 118 can be supported upon one or more supports 121provided on the interior of lower section 105. Similarly, a plurality ofsupports 121 can also be provided at the upper end portion of middlesection 106 for supporting a cooking grate. Handles 122 can be providedon any of the sections 105, 106, 107 as desired for manipulating thevarious sections. The cover can be provided with usual thermometer andburner 11 can provide a jet or nozzle 125 and/or a flame diffuser 124.

It should be understood that the general concept of a smoker thatincludes multiple sections such as 105, 106, 107 is old in the art,having been sold commercially a number of years such by Brinkman andothers.

FIGS. 21-25 show a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention designated generally by the numeral 130. Cooking apparatus 130includes a pot 131 having a pot side wall 132 that is generallycylindrically shaped and provided with a pair of handles 133. Pot 131provides a generally flat, circular bottom 134 and has an interior 153that can retain items to be cooked, cooking fluid and a perforatedbasket 135 or liner that enables food items to be inserted into the potinterior 153 and removed therefrom when cooking is completed. Theperforated basket enables draining of any cooking fluid while retainingthe food items that are to be cooked such as for example, crabs, poultryitems, seafood items and the like. The perforated basket 135 can belifted using bail 136.

Drain outlet fitting 137 is provided in pot sidewall 132 and at a lowerposition that is next to pot bottom 134 as shown in FIGS. 21, 22 and24-25. The drain outlet fitting 137 has an attached valve 138 that canbe opened or closed by rotating valve stem 139. Such an outlet 137 andvalve 138 can be welded e.g. to the pot 131 wall 132. This concept ofproviding a drain outlet fitting 137 with an attached valve 138 is perse known, being disclosed for example in the Durham U.S. Pat. No.123,876; the Clayton U.S. Pat. No. 1,272,222, and the Baker U.S. Pat.No. 2,350,335 each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.Burner 140 supports pot 131 during cooking. The burner 140 includes alower ring 141, an upper ring 142, and a plurality of struts 148, 149,150 that extend between the upper ring 142 and lower ring 141 as shownin FIGS. 21, 22 and 23. A feature of the present invention is thespecial burner configuration at upper ring 142 that enables fluid to bedrained from pot 131 without removing pot 131 from burner 140.

Upper ring 142 has a U-shaped section 146 defined by bends 143, 144,145. The U-shaped section 146 thus extends below upper surface 147 ofupper ring 142 as shown in FIGS. 21, 22 and 24-25. The U-shaped section46 provides a recess 151 that enables valve 138 to extend a radialdistance beyond the outer periphery of upper ring 142 as shown in FIGS.21, 22 and 24-25. The combination of drain outlet fitting 137 and valve138 provide a flow bore 152 during use. The valve 138 can be opened fordraining fluid from the pot 131. This can be helpful when cooking withlarge volumes of cooking fluid such as vegetable oil that is commonlyused is the cooking of poultry items such as large turkeys. After thevegetable oil that is used to cook a turkey has cooled, it can bedrained easily into its original one gallon container by opening thevalve 138 with a rotation of stem 139 in a counterclockwise direction.Peanut oil, for example, is commonly used for frying turkeys and iscommonly sold in one gallon containers.

Each of the struts 148, 149, 150 has a plurality of sections. Thesesections include a lower section 154 and an upper section 155. As shownin FIG. 23, the upper section 155 is generally L-shaped being attachedto upper ring 142 at connection 157 (for example, a welded connection).The strut lower section 154 is an elongated, partially inclined andpartially vertical member that attaches to upper section 155 atconnection 156, a connection that can be welded, for example. The lowersection 154 is attached to lower ring 141 at connection 158, preferablya welded connection. The upper sections 155 each provide a generallyhorizontal upper surface portion 159 that cradles the bottom 134 of pot131 during use as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22.

A wind guard or shroud 160 can be provided to burner 140 as shown inFIGS. 21 and 22, surrounding these three struts 148, 159 and beingattached thereto by welding, for example. Shroud 160 can provide asupport bar 161 for supporting a burner element 162. The burner element162 can be a common, commercially available cast iron burner elementthat is fueled by a gaseous fuel such as propane or butane.

A fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention is shown inFIGS. 26 and 27, designated generally by the numeral 164. Cookingapparatus 164 includes a burner 165 that is configured to support a pot131 having a generally cylindrically shaped pot side wall 132 and agenerally circular, flat pot bottom 134. In FIGS. 26 and 27, burner 165has a plurality of struts 166, 167, 168 that are attached tocylindrically shaped shroud 169. The upper end portion of each of thestruts 166, 167, 168 support upper ring 170 which is cylindricallyshaped, having cylindrical ring wall 172. Bolted connections 171 can beused to attach upper ring 170 to each of the struts 166, 167, 168. Theupper ring 170 provides an upper edge 173 and lower edge 174. Recess 175is cut out of upper ring 170, wall 172. Recess 175 is surrounded bysurfaces 176, 177 and 178 as shown in FIG. 27. The recess 175 enablesthe pot drain outlet fitting 137 and valve 138 to extend radially beyondthe circumference of ring 170 as shown in FIG. 26.

Each strut 166 is comprised of a plurality of sections. However, eachstrut 166 can be an integral structure. In FIGS. 26 and 27, each strut166, 167, 168 is comprised of a vertical upper section 179 andhorizontal section 180 that cradles the pot 131 during use. Verticalsection 179 and horizontal section 180 are connected at bend 186. Thehorizontal sections 180 each providing a flat upper surface 181 uponwhich the pot 131 bottom 134 rests during cooking. Vertical section 182extends between bend 187 and bend 188. Inclined section 183 of eachstrut 166, 167, 168 extends between bend 188 and curved foot 184. Thecurved foot 184 connects to inclined section 183 at bend 189. Anupturned end portion 185 of each strut 166, 167, 168 can be fastened(for example bolted using bolted connection 171) to lower ring 190.

PARTS LIST

The following is a list of suitable parts and materials for the variouselements of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Part Number Description 10 cooking apparatus 11 burner 12 pot 13 supplyvalve 14 basket 15 interior 16 lower ring 17 upper ring 18 strut 19lower strut section 20 upper strut section 21 center strut section 22wind guard 23 lower linear section 24 upper linear section 25 bend 26bend 27 bottom surface 28 pot sidewall 29 inside diameter 30 outsidediameter 31 base 32 intersecting member 33 intersecting member 34vertical member 35 vertical member 36 bail 37 hook 38 hook 39 end 40 end41 steamer plate 42 peripheral edge 43 central opening 44 openings 45upper surface 46 support 47 horizontal post 48 horizontal post 49 slot50 slot 51 handle portion 52 side 53 side 54 transverse beam 55 outdoorcooking apparatus 56 upper ring 57 horizontal strut 58 horizontal strut59 horizontal strut 60 vertical strut 61 vertical strut 62 verticalstrut 63 leg 64 straight section 65 bend 66 straight section 67 leg 68straight section 69 bend 70 straight section 71 leg 72 cylindrical flue73 fuel supply line 74 vertical bore 75 nozzle 76 circular plate 77 weld78 flame 79 arrows 80 central axis 81 burner apparatus 82 frame 83 beam84 beam 85 beam 86 beam 87 beam 88 leg 89 leg 90 horizontal member 91inclined member 92 inclined member 93 attachment 94 burner 95 shroud 96burner element 97 ring 98 grate member 99 horizontal section 100vertical section 101 bend 102 attachment 103 attachment 104 smokerapparatus 105 lower section 106 middle section 107 upper section 109cylindrical sidewall 110 open top 112 bottom panel 113 cylindricalsidewall 114 tapered annular wall 115 leg 116 air vent opening 117annular flange 118 cooking grate 119 bowl 120 door 121 support 122handle 123 thermometer 124 flame diffuser 125 nozzle 126 upper edge 130cooking apparatus 131 pot 132 pot side wall 133 handle 134 bottom 135perforated basket 136 bail 137 drain outlet fitting 138 valve 139 stern140 burner 141 lower ring 142 upper ring 143 bend 144 bend 145 bend 146U-shaped section 147 upper surface 148 street 149 strut 150 strut 151recess 152 bore 153 pot interior 154 lower section 155 upper section 156connection 157 connection 158 connection 159 upper surface 160 shroud161 support bar 162 burner element 164 cooking apparatus 165 burner 166strut 167 strut 168 strut 169 shroud 170 upper ring 171 boltedconnection 172 ring wall 173 upper edge 174 lower edge 175 recess 176surface 177 surface 178 surface 179 vertical section 180 horizontalsection 181 flat surface 182 vertical section 183 inclined section 184curved foot 185 upturned end portion 186 bend 187 bend 188 bend 189 bend

The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; thescope of the present invention is to be limited only by the followingclaims:

1. A cooking apparatus, comprising: a) a burner having a frame thatincludes a base for engaging an underlying support surface, the framehaving a burner element for generating a high intensity flame for use incooking the burner frame having a support surface for cradling a pot; b)a pot that includes a pot upper end portion, generally flat bottomportion, a generally cylindrically shaped continuous sidewall and agenerally cylindrically shaped interior; c) the support surfacesupporting the bottom portion of the pot; d) the frame further includinga vertical member, the vertical member being connected to the frame,extending above the bottom portion of the pot, and being generallyparallel to the sidewall of the pot; e) the vertical member restrictinga range of lateral pot movement during use of the cooking apparatus suchas when a food to be cooked is inserted into or removed from the pot;and f) a plurality of food holding inserts that fit the pot interior,wherein a first insert is selectively connectable to and supported by asecond insert and wherein the second insert has an upper end with aconnector and is configured to extend between the pot bottom portion andthe pot upper end portion and support a food item when it is notsupporting the first insert; g) a lifting hook that selectively connectsto or disconnects from the connector of the second insert.
 2. Thecooking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base is a circular ringportion of the frame.
 3. The cooking apparatus of claim 1, wherein thevertical member comprises a ring.
 4. The cooking apparatus of claim 1,wherein the vertical member comprises a plurality of struts.
 5. Thecooking apparatus of claim 4, wherein each strut includes a first strutportion, second strut portion, and a third strut portion, the firststrut portion of each strut being generally parallel with the bottomportion of the pot, the second strut portion of each strut extending ina generally vertical direction from the second strut portion, the thirdstrut portion extending downwardly from the second strut portion.
 6. Thecooking apparatus of claim 1, the vertical member including a pluralityof struts, each strut comprising multiple strut portions and an upperring.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least some of the strutportions extending above the pot support surface and restricting a rangeof lateral pot movement during use.
 8. The cooking apparatus of claim 4,wherein there are three circumferentially spaced apart radiallyextending struts that are spaced about 120 degrees apart.
 9. The cookingapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a food holder that fits insidethe pot interior, the food holder having a base portion that registersagainst the bottom of the pot and a vertically extending portion thatenables a user to lift the food holder.
 10. The cooking apparatus ofclaim 9, further comprising a horizontally extending portion that isconnectable to the food holder and that is sufficiently wide that a usercan grip the horizontally extended section with his or her hand orhands.
 11. The cooking apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lowerring that defines at least in part the base.
 12. The cooking apparatusof claim 1, wherein the base is a circular ring portion of the frame.13. A cooking apparatus, comprising: a) a burner having a frame thatincludes a base for engaging an underlying support surface, the framehaving a burner element for generating a high intensity flame for use incooking; the burner frame having a support surface for cradling a pot;b) the pot including a pot upper end portion, generally flat bottomportion and having a generally cylindrically shaped continuous sidewallportion; c) the frame further including a projecting member, theprojecting member being connected to the frame, extending above thesupport surface for cradling the pot, and being generally parallel tothe sidewall of the pot; d) the projecting member restricting a range oflateral pot movement during use of the cooking apparatus such as when afood to be cooked is inserted into or removed from the pot and e) aplurality of food holding inserts that fit the pot interior, wherein afirst insert is selectively connectable to and supported by a secondinsert, the second insert has an upper end with a connector and isconfigured to extend between the pot bottom portion and the pot upperend portion and support a food item when it is not connected to thefirst insert; f) a lifting hook that selectively connects to ordisconnects from the connector of the second insert.
 14. The cookingapparatus of claim 13, wherein the base is a circular ring portion ofthe frame.
 15. The cooking apparatus of claim 13, wherein the verticalmember includes a ring.
 16. The cooking apparatus of claim 13, whereinthe vertical member includes a plurality of struts.
 17. The cookingapparatus of claim 16, wherein each strut includes a first strutportion, second strut portion, and a third strut portion, the firststrut portion of each strut being generally parallel with the bottomportion of the pot, the second strut portion of each strut extending ina generally vertical direction from the second strut portion, the thirdstrut portion extending downwardly from the second strut portion. 18.The cooking apparatus of claim 13, the vertical member including aplurality of struts, each strut comprising multiple strut portions andan upper ring.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein at least some ofthe strut portions extending above the pot support surface andrestricting a range of lateral pot movement during use.
 20. The cookingapparatus of claim 16, wherein there are three circumferentially spacedapart radially extending struts that are spaced about 120 degrees apart.21. The cooking apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a food holderthat fits inside the pot interior, the food holder having a base portionthat registers against the bottom of the pot and a vertically extendingportion that enables a user to lift the food holder.
 22. The cookingapparatus of claim 21, further comprising a horizontally extendingportion that is connectable to the food holder and that is sufficientlywide that a user can grip the horizontally extended section with his orher hand or hands.
 23. The cooking apparatus of claim 13, furthercomprising a lower ring that defines at least in part the base.
 24. Thecooking apparatus of claim 13, wherein the base is a circular ringportion of the frame.
 25. A cooking apparatus, comprising: a) a burnerhaving a frame that includes a base for engaging an underlying supportsurface, the frame having a burner element for generating a highintensity flame for use in cooking the burner frame having a supportsurface for cradling a pot; b) a pot that includes a pot upper endportion, generally flat bottom portion, a generally cylindrically shapedcontinuous sidewall and a generally cylindrically shaped interior; c)the support surface supporting the bottom portion of the pot; d) theframe further including a projecting member, the projecting member beingconnected to the frame, extending above the support surface for cradlingthe pot, and closely tracking the sidewall of the pot; e) the projectingmember restricting a range of lateral pot movement during use of thecooking apparatus such as when a food to be cooked is inserted into orremoved from the pot; and f) a plurality of food holding inserts thatfit the pot interior, wherein a first insert is selectively connectableto and supported by a second insert, the second insert has an upper endwith a connector and is configured to extend between the pot bottomportion and the pot upper end portion and support a food item when it isnot connected to the first insert; g) a lifting hook that selectivelyconnects to or disconnects from the connector of the second insert. 26.The cooking apparatus of claim 25, wherein the base is a circular ringportion of the frame.
 27. The cooking apparatus of claim 25, wherein theprojecting member comprises a ring.
 28. The cooking apparatus of claim25, wherein the projecting member comprises a plurality of struts. 29.The cooking apparatus of claim 28, wherein each strut includes a firststrut portion, second strut portion, and a third strut portion, thefirst strut portion of each strut being generally parallel with thebottom portion of the pot, the second strut portion of each strutextending in a generally vertical direction from the second strutportion, the third strut portion extending downwardly from the secondstrut portion.
 30. The cooking apparatus of claim 25, the projectingmember including a plurality of struts, each strut comprising multiplestrut portions and an upper ring.
 31. The apparatus of claim 28, whereinat least some of the strut portions extending above the pot supportsurface and restricting a range of lateral pot movement during use. 32.The cooking apparatus of claim 28, wherein there are threecircumferentially spaced apart radially extending struts that are spacedabout 120 degrees apart.
 33. The cooking apparatus of claim 25, furthercomprising a food holder that fits inside the pot interior, the foodholder having a base portion that registers against the bottom of thepot and a vertically extending portion that enables a user to lift thefood holder.
 34. The cooking apparatus of claim 33, further comprising ahorizontally extending portion that is connectable to the food holderand that is sufficiently wide that a user can grip the horizontallyextended section with his or her hand or hands.
 35. The cookingapparatus of claim 25, further comprising a lower ring that defines atleast in part the base.
 36. The cooking apparatus of claim 25, whereinthe base is a circular ring portion of the frame.
 37. The cookingapparatus of claim 4 further comprising an upper ring that is attachedto the struts.
 38. The cooking apparatus of claim 16 further comprisingan upper ring that is attached to the struts.
 39. The cooking apparatusof claim 28 further comprising an upper ring that is attached to thestruts.
 40. The cooking apparatus of claim 1 wherein there are aplurality of said vertical members.
 41. The cooking apparatus of claim40 wherein the vertical members are a plurality of struts.
 42. Thecooking apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first insert is a steamerplate.
 43. The cooking apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first insert isa steamer plate.
 44. The cooking apparatus of claim 25 wherein the firstinsert is a steamer plate.
 45. The cooking apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe first insert is spaced above the pot bottom when connected to thesecond insert.
 46. The cooking apparatus of claim 13 wherein the firstinsert is spaced above the pot bottom when connected to the secondinsert.
 47. The cooking apparatus of claim 25 wherein the first insertis spaced above the pot bottom when connected to the second insert. 48.The cooking apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of the inserts has acentral support and is configured to support a turkey carcass.
 49. Thecooking apparatus of claim 13 wherein one of the inserts has a centralsupport and is configured to support a turkey carcass.
 50. The cookingapparatus of claim 25 wherein one of the inserts has a central supportand is configured to support a turkey carcass.
 51. The cooking apparatusof claim 48 wherein the first insert is a steamer plate that isconnectable to the central support.
 52. The cooking apparatus of claim49 wherein the first insert is a steamer plate that is connectable tothe central support.
 53. The cooking apparatus of claim 50 wherein thefirst insert is a steamer plate that is connectable to the centralsupport.
 54. The cooking apparatus of claim 51 wherein the steamer platehas a central opening that accepts the central support of the secondinsert.
 55. The cooking apparatus of claim 52 wherein the steamer platehas a central opening that accepts the central support of the secondinsert.
 56. The cooking apparatus of claim 53 wherein the steamer platehas a central opening that accepts the central support of the secondinsert.
 57. The cooking apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second insertis connectable to a lifting hook.
 58. The cooking apparatus of claim 13wherein the second insert is connectable to a lifting hook.
 59. Thecooking apparatus of claim 25 wherein the second insert is connectableto a lifting hook.
 60. The cooking apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pothas a diameter and a height greater than the diameter.
 61. The cookingapparatus of claim 13 wherein the pot has a diameter and a heightgreater than the diameter.
 62. The cooking apparatus of claim 25 whereinthe pot has a diameter and a height greater than the diameter.
 63. Thecooking apparatus of claim 60 wherein the second insert has a heightthat is greater than the pot diameter.
 64. The cooking apparatus ofclaim 61 wherein the second insert has a height that is greater than thepot diameter.
 65. The cooking apparatus of claim 62 wherein the secondinsert has a height that is greater than the pot diameter.